George frederick shaver



(No Model.)

G. P. SHAVER.

MECHANICAL TELEPHONE EXCHANGE.

Patented Oct. 29, 1889. k' 2 R z \z x xx x X Y 1&4"

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE FREDERICK SHAVER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE SHAVER CORPORATION, OF SAME PLACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 414,170, dated October 29, 1889.

Application filed March 11, 1889. Serial Nil-302,936. (No model.) i

To all whom it may concern: wires are connected in the usual manner for Be it known that I, GEORGE FREDERICK calling purposes.

SHAVER, a citizen of the United States, and a E represent the supports for the inner resident of New York city, in the county of ends of the main-line terminals, the ends of New York and State of New York, have inthe said terminals being formed into loops R,

vented certain new and useful Improvements made preferably of stiff wire, which inclose in Mechanical-Telephone Exchanges, of which the supports E E, which are made of two verthe following is a specification. tical wires placed a short distance apart and The object of my invention is to provide a parallel with each other and extending be- IO means for connecting mechanical-telephone tween the parts of the frame 0 and D. Two lines through a central station or exchange wires are-used to support each terminal loop in such a manner as to enable any subscriber of the main-line wires Y Z, in order to facilior patron having a line connected with a centate the engagement of the said main-line tral office to communicate with any other subterminal wires with the hand-telephone F,

I; scriber similarly connected by means of apwhich is provided with a connecting-bar f, paratus hereinafter described, whereby the terminating in a hook at one end, the other loss of power and distinctness of articulation end being rigidly attached to the diaphragm. due to imperfect means of connecting the II H H represent a series of ratchetavheels several wires or either of them, as heretofore mounted upon the shaft B, and are provided 20 experienced, is obviated. The means whereby with pawls I I I, which engage with the this end is attained is shown in the accomratchet-wheels and serve to hold them in any panying drawings, in which desired position. The ratchet-wheels H H H Figure 1 represents a plan view of the apare provided with handles J J J, for the purparatus; Fig. 2, an elevation taken from the pose of turning the ratchets around the shaft 25 front side of the apparatus. Fig. 3 shows a B in the operation of setting tension upon side view of the connecting mechanism and connected terminals. The ratchet-wheels H the arrangement of the 1ineter1'ninals. Figs. II II are perforated to receive a bolt, Which 4, 5, and 6 show detail viewsof the different secures upon each of the ratchets yoke-pieces forms of vibrators used in connectinglines at K K, which support the various vibrators L 30 the central oflice. Fig. 7 shows a detail of a M N. The vibrator L is a' spiral spring cov- 8o llltlllblllle terminal and its support, also the ered with a sleeve of rubber Z, which acts manner of connecting the central-office operas a damper for eliminating the resonance of ators telephone. Fig. 8 represents the method the spring Z, and said spring terminating at of supporting a line-wire at the point of either end in a hook, one end being sup- 35 junction with the supporting frame of the port-ed byasmall bolt 7t, which passes through line-termini. Figs. 9 and 10 show the manner the ends of the yokes K K, and the other end of supporting the inner ends of the auxiliary being adapted to engage with the looped ends line-terminals X X. Fig. 11 shows a handof the auxiliary-line terminals X X. The vitelephone for use at the central office. brator M is composed of a bar terminating at 40 Referring to the drawings, A represents a one end in a button-shaped head m and at supporting-frame for the entering lines. the other end in a hook, which is adapted to 13 represents a shaft which serves to supengage with the terminal loops of the auxilport the connecting mechanism, and is iary-line terminals X. X, as above described. mounted between the upper and lower parts The head of the vibrator M rests upon a rub- 45 of the frame 0 and 0. her cushion on, resting within the yoke K,

O and 0 represent a framework which Fig. 5. The vibrator N is a plate or bar supports the entire switching apparatus and terminating at either end in a hook, also terminals. adapted to engage with the loops at the ends D represents an electric-annunciator frame of the auxiliary-line terminals X X, and is 50 carrying annunciator-drops, to which lineperforated atits center, the perforation being I00 the vibrator N for connecting wires entering the frameA at obtuse angles with each other.

At the point of junction of the entering linewiresY Z with the sup porting-frameAthe linewire is formed into a short loop 2, which surrounds a vertical flexible supporting-wire z, Fig.8, and which serves as a sliding support for the line-wires Y Z and prevents the said line-wiresYZ from coming into contact with each other. At the inner ends of the loops 2 the auxiliary-line terminals X X are attached to the main wires Y Z, the sole utility of the said auxiliary-line terminals being to afford convenient means for connecting themainline wires together.

In order to prevent the auxiliary connectingwi'res X XX from touching each other when not" in use, they are provided with terminal loops of stiff wire R, similar in construction to the loops R of the main-line terminals, and are attached to a frame 0 by means of 'a pin P, which passes loosely through theframe 0 and terminates at one end in a hook and at the other in a button 19. A retracting spiral springQis mounted upon the pin P at a point between the frame 0 and the button 19 and normally draws the hook P inwardly in the position shown in Fig. 9. 'When it is desired to mount the terminal loop of an auxiliary-line terminal X upon the hook P, the button 19 is first pushed outward, thus forcin gthe hook Pout toward the frame A, and the loop of the auxiliary wire X may then be placed over the hook P, when the device remains in the position shownin Fig. 10. To enable the central-office attendant to communicate with subscribers, a hand-telephone is provided, (shown at F, Fig. 11,) and consists of two sauoer-shaped disks of wood apertured at the center and supporting a diaphragm between them fastened to the outer edge of 'the disks. A small bar f is rigidly attached to the center of thesaid diaphragm by means of nuts adjusted upon the bar at either side of the diaphragm and terminates at its outer end in a hook, which when in use engages with the loop R of' the main-line terminals Y Y. A hollow cylinder G extends backward from th e rear of the hand-telephone, and serves as a handle by which it is held in positionwhen connected with a line-terminal.

' When a subscriber desires to communicate with another subscriber, the operation is as follows: The subscriber first rings a magneto call-bell, which is attached to his line in the usual manner, the effect ofwhich being to cause an annunciator mounted at D, Fig. 2, to fall, thus exposing a number representing his line. The central-officeattendant then connects the hand telephone F with the main-line terminal loop of the subscribers wire by placing the hook f within the loop R at the end of the main-line terminal, and transfers the tension of the same to the telephone by pulling the telephone F .toward him, and is then enabled to communicate with the subscriber. If the subscriber desires to communicate with another subscriber, the attendant rings a bell attached to the line of the subscriber wanted in the usual manner, and then proceeds to connect the lines of the two subscribers by removing the auxiliary-line terminals X X, attached to the main-line wires Z Z, from the rack or frame 0, and attaching their terminal loops to Vibrator L, M, or N, accordingto the angle made by the subscribers lines entering the frame A. After attaching the auxiliary-line terminals to the vibrator the lever J of the ratchet H, supporting the vibrator, is moved around, thus drawing the vibrator toward the shaft B and imparting tension to the auxiliary line terminals X X, in which position it is retained bythe pawl I. The action of drawing the auxiliary-terminals toward the shaft Bnot only imparts tension to the aimiliary-line terminals, but slacks the main-line terminals of the connected subscribers line, so that in eifect the connected line-wires Z Z and the auxiliary-line terminals X X, now under tension with the vibrator, constitute a complete tension-circuit from one subscriber to the other, and they are then enabled to converse with each other with the same facility as though talking over a single line connecting their respective telephones. Afterthe subscribers have finished using the lines the pawl I of the ratchet His released, and the handle J is returned to its original position, thus allowing the vibrator to move away from. the shaft B, thus slacking the auxiliary-line terminals and restoring the tension or, the main-line terminals Y Y,when the auxiliary terminal loops may be disengaged from the vibrator and returned to their original positions upon the frame 0. By increasing the number of the ratchets and vibrators L M N it will be seen that as many connections may be made at the same time as there are ratchets and vibrators, and as the ratchets are mounted upon the shaft 13 at different altitudes and adjusted to 'revolve'in different planes, it follows that there is no interference or crossing of the line-terminals when connected.

' It may be seen that any suitable devicesuch as a cam or set of pulleys-may be used to draw the vibrators toward the' shaft B; so I d'onot limit myself to the ratchets H as a means for setting the tension upon connected lineterminals, but prefer the device shown, which I find can be operated with great facility. T

I am aware that. other means of connecting mechanical-telephone lines have been used, notably a piece of wire mounted upon a hanger and terminating in hooks which are attached to the terminals of the lines connected, and means for imparting tension to the piece of connected wire, thus practically extending one line by means of the piece of wire to the other line connected; but I find such devices to be very slow and awkward in use, and that a great loss of power of the vibrations transmitted from one line to another is experienced by such means, whereas by the means herein set forth no such loss occurs, there being no extension of the linewires connected; but in lieu thereof I use simple devices for transmitting or rather transferring vibrations from one line to another through a vibrator.

I am also aware that line-wires terminating upon radial bars placed across and parallel to the rear side of the diaphragm of a mechanical telephone and arranged to transmit vibrations from one line to another by sliding the line-terminals inwardly toward the center of the diaphragm have been used; but in this device only one set of connections can be made at one time and imperfect articulation only is secured.

I have also heretofore used branch wires leading from the main-line wires entering a central-exchange switching apparatus, (shown in a former patent issued to me but in that arrangement the branch wires were used simply as a means for enabling the centralofiice attendant to communicate through them to the main lines of the subscribers, the connecting of subscribers lines being eifected by an auxiliary wire fitted with hooks and arranged to engage with the ends of the main-line terminals; but in this apparatus the main-line terminals remain undisturbed, and the auxiliary-line terminals X X are used to connect the main lines with each other, the latter arrangement aifording very superior means and results, both as to ease and rapidity of manipulation and increased power and better articulation.

WVhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A movable vibrator L, for connecting mechanicahtelephone lines, consisting of a spring Z, terminating in a hook at either end and provided with a damper Z, in combination with a tension-setting device and a series of mechanical-telephoneline-terminals,whereby parallel lines may be connected together through the vibrator for intercommunication without loss of power or distinctness of articulation, substantially as herein set forth.

2. In a mechanical-telephone exchange apparatus, a vibrator L, consisting of a spring,

a vibrator M, consisting of a bar hooked at one end and provided with a button-shaped head resting upon an elastic cushion, and a vibrator N, consisting of a bar terminating in hooks and perforated at its center to receive a supporting-bolt n, a supporting-shaft B, common to all the vibrators, tension-setting devices H I J K, and a-series of mechanicaltelephone lines and auxiliary line terminals, substantially as herein set forth.

3. A device for connecting mechanical-telephone lines together for intercommunication through a central office or exchange, consisting of auxiliary terminal wires X X, one end of each being permanently attached to the main-line wires at a point distant from the ends thereof and the other end being movable, in combination with the said main-line wires and a vibrator and tension-setting device, whereby communication may be established between any pair of main lines by attaching their respective auxiliary terminal wires to a vibrator and imparting tension to the same, substantially as herein set forth.

4. In an apparatus for connecting mechanical-telephone lines, a tension-setting device consisting of a ratchet H, pawl I, and yoke K, and lever J, mounted upon a shaft B, in combination with a series of mechanicahtelephone lines, and a vibrator adapted to engage with and transmit vibrations from one connected line to another, substantially as herein set forth.

5. In a mechanical-telephone exchange apparatus, an adjustable support for the entering wires, consisting of a loop 2, interposed in and forming a part of the said wires, in combination with a supporting-wire .2, pass ing through the said loop, whereby the said line-wire may be free to move upon its support during the action of setting tension upon connected wires, substantially as set forth.

6. In a mechanical-telephone exchange, a support for auxiliary-line terminals, consisting of a frame or rack 0, having a series of pins I mounted thereon and passing loosely through said frame, the said pins terminating at one end in a hook and at the other end in a flattened head 9, in combination with a retracting-spring Q, interposed between the head 0 and rack 0,whereby the said auxiliaryline terminals are kept taut by the action of the spring and crossing of the line-terminal wires is prevented, substantially as herein set forth and described.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 8th day of March, A. D. 1889.

GEORGE FREDERICK SHAVER.

W itnesses:

WM. E. MAGIE, H. D. OGDEN. 

